Lilac 0 – Fast-Paced and Polished Vertical Shooter

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• DEVELOPER: Victor Pouderoux
• PUBLISHER: Digerati
• PLATFORMS: PC
• GENRE: Shoot ’em up / Retro
• RELEASE DATE: March 4, 2025
• INITIAL PRICE: 11.30€
• REVIEWED VERSION: PC

Lilac 0 is a vertical shoot ’em up (shmup) game that throws you into the machine world of Molybdion, where endless wars rage between metallic enemies. With its intense gameplay pace, beautiful pixelated graphics, and chiptune metal soundtrack, Lilac 0 delivers a refreshing experience for fans of the genre. The first thing to mention is that the game is truly challenging; it is strict, and you will die often. However, once you master the mechanics, it becomes extremely rewarding and, most importantly, incredibly fun.

You control your ship using three main actions: shooting, aim lock, and dash/melee attack. The aim lock allows you to attack multiple enemies simultaneously, while the dash/melee allows you to move in eight directions, block bullets, and slice bullet-resistant enemies. Another interesting thing is that the game is surprisingly lenient when it comes to taking damage.

You must be directly hit by an enemy or a projectile to lose health; projectiles can pass right next to you without consequence. However, a direct collision with enemies causes damage, and with only three health bars, you’ll have to play cautiously. Also, the dash ability must be recharged periodically, meaning you cannot use it infinitely.

Very Challenging to Beat, but Fun

Lilac 0 offers three difficulty levels: Novice, Arcade, and Master. Novice is tailored for beginners, while Arcade and Master provide a serious challenge for experienced players. The game features five increasingly complex levels, each with a unique design and enemies. The levels are long and demanding, requiring a high level of focus and skill for a successful completion.

While the length of the levels might be daunting to some, it adds tension and enhances the sense of achievement when you finally conquer them. Each level also has a distinct visual style and atmosphere, which brings variety to the gameplay experience. The best part is that you don’t have to finish the previous levels to unlock new ones; you can jump into any level at any time.

My biggest complaint is that some enemies are invincible, and certain parts of the levels seem deliberately designed to force you to dodge attacks instead of fighting. Although the game rewards skill through a unique scoring system, for instance, you get bonus points for “overkill” (hitting an enemy with a dash after they are defeated) and earn extra lives by dismantling all enemy parts, the scoring system seems to be the main reason for replayability and competition with other players.

The Graphics are the Best Part of the Game

Honestly, I’m not sure how long it takes to complete the game. After five hours of playing and feeling like I’ve died at least 100 times, I still can’t beat the final boss. The game is incredibly challenging, and regardless of your skill, one mistake can be fatal. As for replayability, it exists, but the game can become frustrating if you get stuck on a certain level and simply cannot progress.

The pixel-art style, graphics, and design are what will certainly draw you to this game, especially with the optional CRT filter that evokes the nostalgia of the arcade era. The game’s aesthetic is extremely polished and cohesive, with creative enemy designs and fluid animations. Also, the variety of unlockable color palettes allows you to personalize the game’s visual style to your taste.

The chiptune metal soundtrack by Withered Media stands out as a special element of the game, perfectly complementing the fast-paced rhythm of the action with a nostalgic Sega Genesis vibe that further enhances the game’s retro charm. Still, while the sound effects are functional, they could have more variety to match the high quality of the visuals and music.

Final Thoughts

I wouldn’t say this game has major flaws, but it probably won’t be for everyone due to the high level of difficulty, challenge, and demand for precision. Nevertheless, its fast-paced blend of shooting and melee combat, polished presentation, and pure fun make it an outstanding experience once you get into the game. If you are desperately looking for a retro-inspired game with a modern twist, Lilac 0 should definitely be on your list.

Review copy provided by the publisher